Sunday, 21 December 2014

Hi friends! Long time no see! Dropping in to wish everyone Happy Holidays! This has been quite a year and I'm looking forward what 2015 has to offer. Cotton + Steel has been in full swing and we have a lot of good stuff coming next year.

One of the fabrics we have coming is our Sparkle Canvas. I'm so over the moon excited about this substrate and knew right away what I wanted to make with it when my samples arrived. I purchased some awesome giant frames at a shop here on Etsy with plans to make laptop cases with them.

I had no intention on putting an apple on the front until I was contacted about the 318 Patchwork Patterns book blog tour(which I totally lamed out on. Boooooo. :( Sorry guys.). I saw the cutie pie apple patchwork in the book and thought, "Perfect!". There is so much cuteness in the book and I'm so excited that it's been translated to English! Woot!

I used some waffle fabric that I've been hoarding for eons as the lining. It's an awesome solution for protecting the computer and adding some padding to the case.

I've also discovered that our Sparkle Canvas is totally in love with Metallic Linen. Such a pretty couple they make. ^_^

Wednesday, 09 April 2014

Well, hello there! *shoos away the moths and cleans up the cobwebs* Dusting off the blog here. It's been SO long that I'm surprised that I even remember how to compose a post!

I've been wildly busy with the newness in my life that is known as Cotton+Steel, that it seems that there just isn't any time for blogging anymore. Why are you posting now you ask?

Well, Thomas Knauer asked me to! Haha! He asked if I'd like to participate in the blog tour for his new book, Modern Quilt Perspectives, how could I not crank up the old blog for my friend?? Yaaaaaay, Happy New Book Day(month?)!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO excited and honored to be the 2nd to last stop on the blog tour train! Woot woot!

I'm so proud of Thomas for what he has accomplished in such a short time and I was eager to see what he would bring to the table when he finally wrote a book. In typical Thomas fashion, he does not disappoint. Modern Quilt Perspectives is not your typical quilt book. It's as much cerebral and emotional, as it is chock full of design eye candy and his words draw you in as he explains his thought process behind each quilt which he garnishes with much food for thought. I simply love it.

The variety of quilt projects are equally pleasing to me, a little something for everyone. Soft and subtle to bold and daring, there's a balance that is hard to accomplish when one is creating several designs in this way. Perhaps it's because these quilts weren't designed just to be pretty, but to enrich our lives in some way, as well as make a statement!

One of my favorite in the series is 'Ampersand'. He tells the story of snuggling with his little under the quilt, choosing one of the illustrated prints, and beginning a story. "When we need fresh inspiration, one of us says “and,” points to another of many prints within the ampersand itself, and the story continues." Such a fun and simple idea to enjoy with your wee ones!

'Answer Key' is a favorite for me because of the Japanese vibes that it lends. The linen, combined with the blacks, greys, and blues reminds me of a vintage panel you might find in a traditional Japanese home. The splash of color here and there, as well the clever quilting, add dimension where the quilt could have ended up appearing flat without it.

The quilting takes on big meaning here. Thomas writes, "As a thought experiment, Answer Key is a reminder of the wonder in the details, the pleasure of just sitting around the table and talking. The questions and answers are merely the starting points; the true connections between people happen in the tangents, in the spaces between the answers, between the dots. Answer Key exhorts us to follow the overlapping threads that intertwine to produce the profound texture of our lives together."

Speaking of our lives together, 'Split Personality' is one that caught my eye. The story behind this quilt speaks to the differences between us, but yet there are commonalities that we share. I truly love the thought of this and the design behind it. A gentle nod to our traditional roots, but with this brilliant negative space that makes the quilt balanced.

It's sort of like Quilt Market. So many walks of life, with different aesthetics, some holding steadfast onto quilting traditions, others pushing bounderies, and some hanging out somewhere in the middle. But at the end of the day, we're all there for the same purpose, because we love to sew, right? :)

My absolute favorite of all is 'Excess'. I loved this one right away because of how busy it is. Traditional with a "modern twist". The story behind it made me love it more and I actually got a little teary eyed while reading it. (Since having children I can cry at the drop of a hat. Don't judge me.) The quilt is a memorial quilt that's 13' long and is designed to pool on the floor when hung from a wall. I'd love to have a quilt this size one day and I would display it the same way.

I loved this book. It really resonated with me. As a designer, it's so wonderful when you can be inspired by your peers and this is definitely one of those times. I'll definitely be looking at things with a different perspective when I sit down at my worktable tomorrow.

One quote that I love, "I have come to really love the idea of quilt patterns, the idea of these quilts being made and remade in untold variations, and the ways in which these quilts will become parts of people’s lives." Well said my friend. :)

Want to win a copy of this grand book??? Has there been anything lately that's inspired you to rethink how you do your art/crafts/sewing/quilting? Leave a comment below!

Friday, 18 October 2013

Hello friends! Happy Friday to you! It's been a very long time since I've posted and with good reason. I've been a busy, busy, busy bee and a lot has happened in a few short months. SO.........let's get to it.

Fall Quilt Market is upon us and it occurred to me that now is probably the best time for me to make an announcement that I've been keeping for several months.

I'm sad to announce that Koi Canvas will be my last collection with Cloud 9 Fabrics. :(

A very rare opportunity presented itself to me and I felt that if I didn't jump at the chance I would hate myself later on down the road. This was one of THE toughest decisions I've ever had to make in my life.

This was purely a career decision and was by no means personal. I have such an immense love and respect for the team at Cloud 9 and they have been so very understanding, warm, and loving through all of this. *Big HUGE hug to Michelle and Gina*

Words can't express how grateful I am to have had the privileage and the pleasure to design for such a fantastic company. I've truly enjoyed every single moment that I've worked with them and have been treated so well. I'm proud of and love, love, love the beautiful work that we've created together. I would work with them again at the drop of a hat.

What's next for me you say? Well......I am by no means finished with the fabric world if that's what you're wondering. I still find it hard to believe that making this first little blog post has brought me here......a new chapter in my life. I have embarked on a new journey, are you going to join me? Stay tuned. XOXO ^_~

Monday, 03 June 2013

Well folks, it's the very last post for the Fat Quarter Gang. Sad but true. :( It's been such great fun and the projects have been so wonderfully, fantastic. Thank you so much to Art Gallery Fabrics for letting me play along with such a talented group!

I'm a tea sort of girl, but will indulge in some coffee whenever I feel a need for a pick me up. Are you Team Tea or Team Coffee? Let me know in the comments to win a bundle of the pretties I used in this project!